PDCCH monitoring periodicity

ABSTRACT

According to some embodiments, a method in a network node for configuring monitoring occasions for use in a network node of a wireless communication network comprises determining a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space monitoring configuration for a wireless device. The PDCCH search space monitoring configuration comprises a monitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes for each search space of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality of slots. The method further comprises sending the monitoring configuration to the wireless device. A method in a wireless device comprises receiving the monitoring configuration and monitoring each search space according to the monitoring configuration.

PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/210,142 filed Dec. 5, 2018 which is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/IB2018/057618 filed Oct. 1,2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/567,075 filed Oct. 2, 2017, which are incorporated herein byreference as if reproduced in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Particular embodiments are directed to wireless communications and, moreparticularly, to a periodicity for monitoring physical downlink controlchannels (PDCCH).

INTRODUCTION

The new radio (NR) standard in Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) includes service for multiple use cases such as enhanced mobilebroadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC),and machine type communication (MTC). Each of these services hasdifferent technical requirements. For example, the general requirementfor eMBB is high data rate with moderate latency and moderate coverage,while URLLC service requires a low latency and high reliabilitytransmission, but perhaps for moderate data rates.

One solution for low latency data transmission is shorter transmissiontime intervals. In NR, in addition to transmission in a slot, amini-slot transmission is used to reduce latency. A mini-slot mayconsist of any number of 1 to 14 orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The concepts of slot and mini-slot are notspecific to a specific service, meaning that a mini-slot may be used foreither eMBB, URLLC, or other services.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example radio resource in new radio (NR). Thehorizontal axis represents time and the other axis represents frequency.Each resource element corresponds to one OFDM subcarrier during one OFDMsymbol interval.

The 3GPP NR standard includes a monitoring periodicity that can beconfigured for a user equipment (UE)-specific control-resource set(CORESET). The monitoring periodicity may be configured per CORESET orfor a set of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates withinthe CORESET. Different monitoring periodicities for different searchspaces provide flexibility.

A problem, however, is if different monitoring periodicities areconfigured for different search spaces, then a UE may have to performseveral blind decodings in a slot with multiple PDCCHs but perform veryfew blind decodings on the other slots.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein include adjusting and distributingphysical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring occasions so thatthe number of blind decodes in every slot is the same (or close to thesame) to efficiently use available blind decoding opportunities.

According to some embodiments, a method in a network node forconfiguring monitoring occasions for use in a network node of a wirelesscommunication network comprises determining a PDCCH search spacemonitoring configuration for a wireless device. The PDCCH search spacemonitoring configuration comprises a monitoring periodicity and a numberof blind decodes for each search space of a plurality of search spacesover a plurality of slots. The method further comprises sending themonitoring configuration to the wireless device.

According to some embodiments, a network node is capable of configuringmonitoring occasions in a wireless communication network. The networknode comprises processing circuitry operable to determine a PDCCH searchspace monitoring configuration for a wireless device. The PDCCH searchspace monitoring configuration comprises a monitoring periodicity and anumber of blind decodes for each search space of a plurality of searchspaces over a plurality of slots. The processing circuitry is furtheroperable to send the monitoring configuration to the wireless device.

A particular advantage is that the number of blind decodes isconfigurable for each search space. Accordingly, the network node isable to optimize the available blind decoding opportunities.

In particular embodiments, a total number of blind decodes to beperformed in each slot of the plurality of slots is equivalent for allslots. In some embodiments, the number of blind decodes for each searchspace is equivalent for all slots. The number of blind decodes for eachsearch space may vary among slots. The number of blind decodes for eachsearch space in a slot may be equivalent for all search spaces in theslot. The number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot mayvary among search spaces in the slot.

In particular embodiments, a total number of blind decodes to beperformed in a slot of the plurality of slots exceeds a total number ofblind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in theslot. The PDCCH search space monitoring configuration may furthercomprise an indication whether a search space may be monitored usingfewer than the configured number of blind decodes. The indicationwhether the search space may be monitored using fewer than theconfigured number of blind decodes may comprise an indication of whethera search space is a common search space or a user equipment specificsearch space.

A particular advantage is that the network node may oversubscribe thenumber of blind decodes for a slot or search space. The wireless devicethen determines an optimal use of blind decodes by determining whichslots and search spaces to limit the number of blind decodes.

According to some embodiments, a method for use in a wireless device ofmonitoring signals comprises receiving a PDCCH search space monitoringconfiguration from a network node. The monitoring configurationcomprises a monitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes foreach search space of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality ofslots. The method further comprises monitoring each search spaceaccording to the monitoring configuration (i.e., the monitoringperiodicity and the number of blind decodes).

In particular embodiments, a total number of blind decodes to beperformed in each slot of the plurality of slots is equivalent for allslots. In some embodiments, the number of blind decodes for each searchspace is equivalent for all slots. The number of blind decodes for eachsearch space may vary among slots. The number of blind decodes for eachsearch space in a slot may be equivalent for all search spaces in theslot. The number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot mayvary among search spaces in the slot.

In particular embodiments, the total number of blind decodes to beperformed in a slot of the plurality of slots exceeds a total number ofblind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in theslot. The method further comprises limiting a number of blind decodes tobe performed in one more search spaces so that the total number of blinddecodes in each slot is less than or equal to the total number of blinddecodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot.Limiting the number of blind decodes may be based on preconfigured rulesfor prioritizing a first search space over a second search space. Insome embodiments, the PDCCH search space monitoring configurationfurther comprises an indication whether a search space may be monitoredusing fewer than the configured number of blind decodes. The indicationwhether the search space may be monitored using fewer than theconfigured number of blind decodes may comprise an indication of whethera search space is a common search space or a user equipment specificsearch space.

According to some embodiments, a wireless device is capable ofmonitoring signals in a wireless communication network. The wirelessdevice comprises processing circuitry operable to receive a PDCCH searchspace monitoring configuration from a network node. The monitoringconfiguration comprises a monitoring periodicity and a number of blinddecodes for each search space of a plurality of search spaces over aplurality of slots. The processing circuitry is further operable tomonitor each search space according to the monitoring configuration(i.e., the monitoring periodicity and the number of blind decodes).

In particular embodiments, a total number of blind decodes to beperformed in each slot of the plurality of slots is equivalent for allslots. In some embodiments, the number of blind decodes for each searchspace is equivalent for all slots. The number of blind decodes for eachsearch space may vary among slots. The number of blind decodes for eachsearch space in a slot may be equivalent for all search spaces in theslot. The number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot mayvary among search spaces in the slot.

In particular embodiments, the total number of blind decodes to beperformed in a slot of the plurality of slots exceeds a total number ofblind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in theslot. The processing circuitry is further operable to limit a number ofblind decodes to be performed in one or more search spaces so that thetotal number of blind decodes in each slot is less than or equal to thetotal number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable ofperforming in the slot. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry isoperable to limit the number of blind decodes based on preconfiguredrules for prioritizing a first search space over a second search space.The PDCCH search space monitoring configuration may further comprise anindication whether a search space may be monitored using fewer than theconfigured number of blind decodes. The indication whether the searchspace may be monitored using fewer than the configured number of blinddecodes may comprise an indication of whether a search space is a commonsearch space or a user equipment specific search space.

According to some embodiments, a network node is capable of configuringmonitoring occasions in a wireless communication network. The networknode comprises a determining module and a transmitting module. Thedetermining module is operable to determine a PDCCH search spacemonitoring configuration for a wireless device. The PDCCH search spacemonitoring configuration comprises a monitoring periodicity and a numberof blind decodes for each search space of a plurality of search spacesover a plurality of slots. The transmitting module is operable to sendthe monitoring configuration to the wireless device.

According to some embodiments, a wireless device is capable ofmonitoring signals in a wireless communication network. The wirelessdevice comprises a receiving module and a determining module. Thereceiving module is operable to receive a PDCCH search space monitoringconfiguration from a network node. The monitoring configurationcomprising a monitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes foreach search space of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality ofslots. The determining module is operable to monitor each search spaceaccording to the monitoring configuration (i.e., the monitoringperiodicity and the number of blind decodes).

Also disclosed is a computer program product. The computer programproduct comprises instructions stored on non-transient computer-readablemedia which, when executed by a processor, perform the step ofdetermining a PDCCH search space monitoring configuration for a wirelessdevice. The PDCCH search space monitoring configuration comprises amonitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes for each searchspace of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality of slots. Theinstructions further perform the step of sending the monitoringconfiguration to the wireless device.

Another computer program product comprises instructions stored onnon-transient computer-readable media which, when executed by aprocessor, perform the step of receiving a PDCCH search space monitoringconfiguration from a network node. The monitoring configurationcomprises a monitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes foreach search space of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality ofslots. The instructions further perform the step of monitoring eachsearch space according to the monitoring configuration (i.e., themonitoring periodicity and the number of blind decodes).

Particular embodiments may include some, all, or none of the followingadvantages. For example, particular embodiments distribute the number ofblind decodes over multiple monitoring occasions, which can beadvantageous because the user equipment (UE) is only capable ofperforming a certain number of blind decodes at a time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments and their featuresand advantages, reference is now made to the following description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example radio resource in new radio (NR);

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless network,according to a particular embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating two CORESETs with differentsearch spaces and different periodicities, according to someembodiments;

FIGS. 4-7 are block diagrams illustrating two CORESETs with differentsearch spaces and different periodicities and the monitoring occasionsassociated with each CORESET, according to particular embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method in a networknode, according to particular embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method in a wirelessdevice, according to particular embodiments;

FIG. 10A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of awireless device;

FIG. 10B is a block diagram illustrating example components of awireless device;

FIG. 11A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of anetwork node; and

FIG. 11B is a block diagram illustrating example components of a networknode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) new radio (NR) includesservices such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable andlow latency communication (URLLC), and machine type communication (MTC).Each of these services has different technical requirements with respectto data rate, latency, and coverage levels. To support these features,NR includes transmission in a slot as well as a mini-slot to reducelatency.

The 3GPP NR standard includes a monitoring periodicity that can beconfigured for a user equipment (UE)-specific control-resource set(CORESET). The monitoring periodicity may be configured per CORESET orfor a set of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates withinthe CORESET. Different monitoring periodicities for different searchspaces provide flexibility.

A problem, however, is if different monitoring periodicities areconfigured for different search spaces, then a UE may have to performseveral blind decodings in a slot with multiple PDCCHs but perform veryfew blind decodings on the other slots. Particular embodiments obviatethe problem described above and include adjusting and distributing PDCCHmonitoring occasions so that the number of blind decodes in every slotis the same (or nearly the same), which can be advantageous because theUE is only capable of performing a certain number of blind decodes at atime.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or notexplicitly described.

Particular embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 2-11B ofthe drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding partsof the various drawings, long term evolution (LTE) and fifth generation(50) NR are used throughout this disclosure as an example cellularsystem, but the ideas presented herein may apply to other wirelesscommunication systems as well.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless network,according to a particular embodiment. Wireless network 100 includes oneor more wireless devices 110 (such as mobile phones, smart phones,laptop computers, tablet computers, MTC devices, or any other devicesthat can provide wireless communication) and a plurality of networknodes 120 (such as base stations, eNodeBs, gNBs, etc.). Wireless device110 may also be referred to as a UE. Network node 120 serves coveragearea 115 (also referred to as cell 115).

In general, wireless devices 110 that are within coverage of networknode 120 (e.g., within cell 115 served by network node 120) communicatewith network node 120 by transmitting and receiving wireless signals130. For example, wireless devices 110 and network node 120 maycommunicate wireless signals 130 containing voice traffic, data traffic,and/or control signals. A network node 120 communicating voice traffic,data traffic, and/or control signals to wireless device 110 may bereferred to as a serving network node 120 for the wireless device 110.Communication between wireless device 110 and network node 120 may bereferred to as cellular communication. Wireless signals 130 may includeboth downlink transmissions (from network node 120 to wireless devices110) and uplink transmissions (from wireless devices 110 to network node120).

Each network node 120 may have a single transmitter or multipletransmitters for transmitting signals 130 to wireless devices 110. Insome embodiments, network node 120 may comprise a multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) system. Wireless signal 130 may comprise one ormore beams. Particular beams may be beamformed in a particulardirection. Each wireless device 110 may have a single receiver ormultiple receivers for receiving signals 130 from network nodes 120 orother wireless devices 110. Wireless device 110 may receive one or morebeams comprising wireless signal 130.

Wireless signals 130 may be transmitted on time-frequency resources. Thetime-frequency resources may be partitioned into radio frames,subframes, slots, and/or mini-slots. Network node 120 may dynamicallyschedule subframes/slots/mini-slots as uplink, downlink, or acombination uplink and downlink. Different wireless signals 130 maycomprise different transmission processing times.

Network node 120 may operate in a licensed frequency spectrum, such asan LTE spectrum. Network node 120 may also operate in an unlicensedfrequency spectrum, such as a 5 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum. In an unlicensedfrequency spectrum, network node 120 may coexist with other devices suchas IEEE 802.11 access points and terminals. To share the unlicensedspectrum, network node 120 may perform LBT protocols before transmittingor receiving wireless signals 130. Wireless device 110 may also operatein one or both of licensed or unlicensed spectrum and in someembodiments may also perform LBT protocols before transmitting wirelesssignals 130. Both network node 120 and wireless device 110 may alsooperate in licensed shared spectrum.

For example, network node 120 a may operate in a licensed spectrum andnetwork node 120 b may operate in an unlicensed spectrum. Wirelessdevice 110 may operate in both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Inparticular embodiments, network nodes 120 a and 120 b may beconfigurable to operate in a licensed spectrum, an unlicensed spectrum,a licensed shared spectrum, or any combination. Although the coveragearea of cell 115 b is illustrated as included in the coverage area ofcell 115 a, in particular embodiments the coverage areas of cells 115 aand 115 b may overlap partially or may not overlap at all.

In particular embodiments, wireless device 110 and network nodes 120 mayperform carrier aggregation. For example, network node 120 a may servewireless device 110 as a PCell and network node 120 b may serve wirelessdevice 110 as a SCell. Network nodes 120 may perform self-scheduling orcross-scheduling. If network node 120 a is operating in licensedspectrum and network node 120 b is operating in unlicensed spectrum,network node 120 a may provide license assisted access to the unlicensedspectrum (i.e., network node 120 a is a LAA PCell and network node 120 bis a LAA SCell).

In particular embodiments, wireless signals 130 may comprisestime/frequency resources that are grouped in control-resource sets(CORESETs), as described above. Network node 120 may configure wirelessdevice 110 with a monitoring periodicity for wireless device 110 tomonitor for particular channels, such as a PDCCH. Network node 120 mayconfigure a number of blind decodes associated with each search space,CORESET, or DCI format. Wireless device 110 receives the monitoringconfiguration from network node 120. Wireless device may perform blinddecoding according to the monitoring configuration (i.e., the monitoringperiodicity and the number of blind decodes). In some embodiments,wireless device may modify the monitoring configuration (e.g., thenetwork node configured more blind decodes than wireless device 110 iscapable of and wireless device 110 determines which search space,CORESET, or DCI format to limit. Further details are described below andwith respect to FIGS. 3-9.

In wireless network 100, each network node 120 may use any suitableradio access technology, such as long term evolution (LTE),LTE-Advanced, UMTS, HSPA, GSM, cdma2000, NR, WiMax, WiFi, and/or othersuitable radio access technology. Wireless network 100 may include anysuitable combination of one or more radio access technologies. Forpurposes of example, various embodiments may be described within thecontext of certain radio access technologies. However, the scope of thedisclosure is not limited to the examples and other embodiments coulduse different radio access technologies.

As described above, embodiments of a wireless network may include one ormore wireless devices and one or more different types of radio networknodes capable of communicating with the wireless devices. The networkmay also include any additional elements suitable to supportcommunication between wireless devices or between a wireless device andanother communication device (such as a landline telephone). A wirelessdevice may include any suitable combination of hardware and/or software.For example, in particular embodiments, a wireless device, such aswireless device 110, may include the components described with respectto FIG. 10A below. Similarly, a network node may include any suitablecombination of hardware and/or software. For example, in particularembodiments, a network node, such as network node 120, may include thecomponents described with respect to FIG. 11A below.

While the embodiments below are described using an example of blinddecodes assigned to specific search spaces, the embodiments equallycover the application of the same principles to CORESETs or to DCIformats as well.

Particular embodiments include configuring PDCCH monitoring occasions tomaximally use blind decoding capability. According to some embodiments,PDCCH monitoring periodicity and occasions are configured such that thenumber of blind decodes in every slot is the same. An example isillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating two CORESETs with differentsearch spaces and different periodicities, according to someembodiments. In the illustrated example, CORESET 0 is transmitted inSlots 0, 1, 2, 3 . . . and has search spaces X and Y. CORESET 1 istransmitted in slots 1, 3, 5, . . . and has search space Z.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating two CORESETs with differentsearch spaces and different periodicities and an equivalent number ofblind decodes for each monitoring occasion, according to a particularembodiment. To keep the number of blind decodes the same, the UEmonitors search space X with periodicity 0, 1, 2, and search space Ywith periodicity 0, 2, 4, and search space Z with periodicity 1, 3, 5, .. . as illustrated. The illustrated example includes a total of 44 blinddecodes that can be performed within a slot. Other embodiments mayinclude any suitable number of blind decodes and any suitableperiodicity.

Particular embodiments include configuring blind decodes to maximallyutilize blind decoding capability, According to some embodiments, theblind decodes that are assigned may be different in different slots andmay have different periodicities associated with them. An example isillustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating two CORESETs with differentsearch spaces and different periodicities where a number of blinddecodes varies among slots, according to a particular embodiment. Themonitoring periodicity for search spaces X and Y is such that the searchspaces are monitored in every slot. However, the number of blind decodesassigned to the search space vary depending on the slot. In theillustrated example, the configuration is as follows.

Search space X and Y: Perform 22 blind decodes in slots 0, 2, 4 . . .and 16 blind decodes in slots 1, 3, 5, . . . . Some irregular patternswith larger duty cycles may also be configured and that this is just asimple example. In the illustrated example, search space Z has amonitoring periodicity that does not require monitoring in every slotbut that has the same number of blind decodes assigned to it every timethe search space is monitored.

It is possible that different search spaces may have the same monitoringperiodicity, but one search space may have its blind decodes varydepending on the slot while the other one does not. An example isillustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is another block diagram illustrating two CORESETs with differentsearch spaces and different periodicities where a number of blinddecodes varies among slots, according to a particular embodiment. Theillustrated example may be interpreted as search space Z borrowing blinddecodes only from one of the other search spaces.

Particular embodiments include CORESET monitoring prioritization. In theprevious embodiments, the gNB configures the monitoring periodicitiesand blind decodes appropriately so that the UE follows the particularsemi-static configuration given by the gNB.

In some embodiments, the gNB can configure monitoring periodicities andblind decodes to the UE such that the maximum blind decoding capabilityin a given slot is nominally exceeded. However, the UE limits the numberof blind decodes actually performed to the number the UE is capable ofby prioritizing the monitoring of certain CORESETs or search spaces orDCI formats over others. An example is illustrated in FIG. 7

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating two CORESETs with differentsearch spaces and different periodicities where a number of blinddecodes may exceed the UE capacity, according to a particularembodiment. In the illustrated example, search spaces X, Y and Z are allconfigured with 22 blind decodes each. The UE automatically adjusts theblind decodes to fit within the capability by applying someprioritization between search spaces. The configuration could includethese prioritizations.

In a particular embodiment, search space j could be assigned a prioritynumber, p^(j). The blind decodes can then be adjusted at the UE so thatthe blind decodes for search space j is given byB ^(j)=└(p ^(j)/Σ_(k) p ^(k))·B _(M)┘,where B^(j) is the number of blind decodes assigned to search space jand B_(M) is the maximum number of blind decodes in a slot.

While this is a general prioritization rule that may be applied, simplerrules may also be used. In one variation of this embodiment, theconfiguration of a search space may explicitly indicate whether blinddecodes from this search space can be borrowed for another search spaceor not. Blind decodes are then reduced only for search spaces whoseconfiguration indicates that borrowing is allowed. For example, blinddecodes for a common search space may be indicated as being fixed, whilethose for a UE search space may be indicated as being able to bereduced.

Similarly, the configuration of a particular search space may alsoindicate that this search space is a high priority search space, andthat the search space is allowed to borrow blind decodes from otherlower priority search spaces.

In another variation of this embodiment, the configuration for a searchspace may explicitly provide a pointer to other search spaces from whichblind decodes may be borrowed by the UE.

In another variation of this embodiment, the prioritization or theability to borrow blind decodes or not may be dependent on the locationof the search space and CORESET in the slot. For instance, blind decodesmay be borrowed only from UE specific search spaces at the beginning ofa slot (say in the first three OFDM symbols), but not those that occurelsewhere in the slot, or vice-versa.

General examples of the embodiments described above are illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is an example in a network node, such as a gNB,and FIG. 9 is an example in a wireless device, such as a UE.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method in a networknode, according to particular embodiments. In particular embodiments,one or more steps of FIG. 8 may be performed by network node 120 ofnetwork 100 described with respect to FIG. 3.

The method begins at step 812, where a network node determines amonitoring configuration for a wireless device. The monitoringconfiguration comprises a monitoring periodicity and a number of blinddecodes for each search space of a plurality of search spaces over aplurality of slots. For example, network node 120 may determine amonitoring configuration for a number of search spaces according to anyof the embodiments and examples described with respect to FIGS. 3-7.

In particular embodiments, a total number of blind decodes to beperformed in each slot of the plurality of slots is equivalent for allslots (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-6). In some embodiments, the number of blinddecodes for each search space is equivalent for all slots (see, e.g.,search space X of FIG. 4). The number of blind decodes for each searchspace may vary among slots (see, e.g., search space Y of FIG. 5). Thenumber of blind decodes for each search space in a slot may beequivalent for all search spaces in the slot (see, e.g., Slot 0 of FIG.5). The number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot may varyamong search spaces in the slot (see, e.g., Slot 1 of FIG. 5). Inparticular embodiments, the total number of blind decodes to beperformed in a slot of the plurality of slots exceeds a total number ofblind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in theslot (see, e.g., Slot 1 of FIG. 7).

At step 814, the network node sends the monitoring configuration to thewireless device. For example, network node 120 may send the monitoringconfiguration to wireless device 110.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 800 of FIG.8. Additionally, one or more steps in the method of FIG. 8 may beperformed in parallel or in any suitable order. The steps may berepeated over time as necessary.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method in a wirelessdevice, according to particular embodiments. In particular embodiments,one or more steps of FIG. 9 may be performed by wireless device 110 ofnetwork 100 described with respect to FIG. 2.

The method begins at step 912, where a wireless device receives amonitoring configuration from a network node. The monitoringconfiguration comprises a monitoring periodicity and a number of blinddecodes for each search space of a plurality of search spaces over aplurality of slots. For example, wireless device 110 may receive amonitoring configuration for a number of search spaces according to anyof the embodiments and examples described with respect to FIGS. 3-7.Particular configurations are also described with respect to step 812 ofFIG. 8.

At step 914, the wireless device may limit a number of blind decodes forone or more search spaces. For example, the total number of blinddecodes to be performed in a slot of the plurality of slots may exceed atotal number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable ofperforming in the slot. The wireless device may limit a number of blinddecodes to be performed in one more search spaces so that the totalnumber of blind decodes in each slot is less than or equal to the totalnumber of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable ofperforming in the slot.

Limiting the number of blind decodes may be based on preconfigured rulesfor prioritizing a first search space over a second search space. Insome embodiments, the PDCCH search space monitoring configurationfurther comprises an indication whether a search space may be monitoredusing fewer than the configured number of blind decodes. The indicationwhether the search space may be monitored using fewer than theconfigured number of blind decodes may comprise an indication of whethera search space is a common search space or a user equipment specificsearch space.

At step 916, the wireless device monitors each search space according tothe monitoring configuration (i.e., the monitoring periodicity and thenumber of blind decodes). For example, wireless device 110 may monitorthe search space according to the monitoring configuration received fromnetwork node 120 in step 912, and according to any modifications orlimitations from step 914.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 900 of FIG.9. Additionally, one or more steps in the method of FIG. 9 may beperformed in parallel or in any suitable order. The steps may berepeated over time as necessary.

FIG. 10A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of awireless device. The wireless device is an example of the wirelessdevices 110 illustrated in FIG. 2. In particular embodiments, thewireless device is capable of receiving a monitoring configuration froma network node. The monitoring configuration comprises a monitoringperiodicity and a number of blind decodes for each search space of aplurality of search spaces over a plurality of slots. The wirelessdevice may also monitor each search space according to the monitoringconfiguration (i.e., the monitoring periodicity and the number of blinddecodes). If the total number of blind decodes to be performed in a slotexceeds a total number of blind decodes that the wireless device iscapable of performing in the slot, then the wireless device may limit anumber of blind decodes to be performed in one more search spaces.

Particular examples of a wireless device include a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a portable computer (e.g.,laptop, tablet), a sensor, a modem, a machine type (MTC) device/machineto machine (M2M) device, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mountedequipment (LME), USB dongles, a device-to-device capable device, avehicle-to-vehicle device, or any other device that can provide wirelesscommunication. The wireless device includes transceiver 1310, processingcircuitry 1320, memory 1330, and power source 1340. In some embodiments,transceiver 1310 facilitates transmitting wireless signals to andreceiving wireless signals from wireless network node 120 (e.g., via anantenna), processing circuitry 1320 executes instructions to providesome or all of the functionality described herein as provided by thewireless device, and memory 1330 stores the instructions executed byprocessing circuitry 1320. Power source 1340 supplies electrical powerto one or more of the components of wireless device 110, such astransceiver 1310, processing circuitry 1320, and/or memory 1330.

Processing circuitry 1324 includes any suitable combination of hardwareand software implemented in one or more integrated circuits or modulesto execute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all ofthe described functions of the wireless device. In some embodiments,processing circuitry 1320 may include, for example, one or morecomputers, one more programmable logic devices, one or more centralprocessing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or moreapplications, and/or other logic, and/or any suitable combination of thepreceding. Processing circuitry 1320 may include analog and/or digitalcircuitry configured to perform some or all of the described functionsof wireless device 110. For example, processing circuitry 1320 mayinclude resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors, diodes, and/orany other suitable circuit components.

Memory 1330 is generally operable to store computer executable code anddata. Examples of memory 1330 include computer memory (e.g., RandomAccess Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media(e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a Compact Disk (CD)or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or or any other volatile ornon-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable memory devices that store information.

Power source 1340 is generally operable to supply electrical power tothe components of wireless device 110. Power source 1340 may include anysuitable type of battery, such as lithium-ion, lithium-air, lithiumpolymer, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, or any other suitabletype of battery for supplying power to a wireless device.

Other embodiments of the wireless device may include additionalcomponents (beyond those shown in FIG. 10A) responsible for providingcertain aspects of the wireless device's functionality, including any ofthe functionality described above and/or any additional functionality(including any functionality necessary to support the solution describedabove).

FIG. 10B is a block diagram illustrating example components of awireless device 110. The components may include determining module 1350,transmitting module 1352 and receiving module 1354.

Determining module 1350 may perform the determining functions ofwireless device 110. For example, determining module 1350 may determinetotal number of blind decodes to be performed in a slot of the pluralityof slots exceeds a total number of blind decodes that the wirelessdevice is capable of performing in the slot, and limit a number of blinddecodes to be performed in one more search spaces (or CORESETS, DCIformat, etc.) according to any of the examples and embodiments describedabove. In certain embodiments, determining module 1350 may include or beincluded in processing circuitry 1320. In particular embodiments,determining module 1350 may communicate with transmitting module 1352and receiving module 1354.

Transmitting module 1352 may perform the transmitting functions ofwireless device 110. In certain embodiments, transmitting module 1352may include or be included in processing circuitry 1320. In particularembodiments, transmitting module 1352 may communicate with determiningmodule 1350 and receiving module 1354.

Receiving module 1354 may perform the receiving functions of wirelessdevice 110. For example, receiving module 1354 may receive a monitoringconfiguration according to any of the examples and embodiments describedabove. In certain embodiments, receiving module 1354 may include or beincluded in processing circuitry 1320. In particular embodiments,transmitting module 1352 may communicate with determining module 1350and transmitting module 1352.

FIG. 11A is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of anetwork node. The network node is an example of the network node 120illustrated in FIG. 2. In particular embodiments, the network node iscapable of determining a monitoring configuration for a wireless device.The monitoring configuration comprises a monitoring periodicity and anumber of blind decodes for each search space (or CORESETS, DCI format,etc.) of a plurality of search spaces (or CORESETS, DCI format, etc.)over a plurality of slots. The network node is capable of sending themonitoring configuration to a wireless device.

Network node 120 can be an eNodeB, a nodeB, a base station, a wirelessaccess point (e.g., a Wi-Fi access point), a low power node, a basetransceiver station (BTS), a transmission point or node, a remote RFunit (RRU), a remote radio head (RRH), or other radio access node. Thenetwork node includes at least one transceiver 1410, at least oneprocessing circuitry 1420, at least one memory 1430, and at least onenetwork interface 1440. Transceiver 1410 facilitates transmittingwireless signals to and receiving wireless signals from a wirelessdevice, such as wireless devices 110 (e.g., via an antenna); processingcircuitry 1420 executes instructions to provide some or all of thefunctionality described above as being provided by a network node 120;memory 1430 stores the instructions executed by processing circuitry1420; and network interface 1440 communicates signals to backend networkcomponents, such as a gateway, switch, router, Internet, Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN), controller, and/or other network nodes 120.Processing circuitry 1420 and memory 1430 can be of the same types asdescribed with respect to processing circuitry 1320 and memory 1330 ofFIG. 10A above.

In some embodiments, network interface 1440 is communicatively coupledto processing circuitry 1420 and refers to any suitable device operableto receive input for network node 120, send output from network node120, perform suitable processing of the input or output or both,communicate to other devices, or any combination of the preceding.Network interface 1440 includes appropriate hardware (e.g., port, modem,network interface card, etc.) and software, including protocolconversion and data processing capabilities, to communicate through anetwork.

FIG. 11B is a block diagram illustrating example components of a networknode 120. The components may include determining module 1450,transmitting module 1452 and receiving module 1454.

Determining module 1450 may perform the determining functions of networknode 120. For example, determining module 1450 may determine amonitoring configuration for a wireless device according to any of theexamples and embodiments described above. In certain embodiments,determining module 1450 may include or be included in processingcircuitry 1420. In particular embodiments, determining module 1450 maycommunicate with transmitting module 1452 and receiving module 1454.

Transmitting module 1452 may perform the transmitting functions ofnetwork node 120. For example, transmitting module 1452 may transmit amonitoring configuration to a wireless device according to any of theexamples and embodiments described above. In certain embodiments,transmitting module 1452 may include or be included in processingcircuitry 1420. In particular embodiments, transmitting module 1452 maycommunicate with determining module 1450 and receiving module 1454.

Receiving module 1454 may perform the receiving functions of networknode 120. In certain embodiments, receiving module 1454 may include orbe included in processing circuitry 1420. In particular embodiments,transmitting module 1452 may communicate with determining module 1450and transmitting module 1452.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems andapparatuses disclosed herein without departing from the scope of theinvention. The components of the systems and apparatuses may beintegrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems andapparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.Additionally, operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performedusing any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or otherlogic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a setor each member of a subset of a set.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methodsdisclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Themethods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps maybe performed in any suitable order.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainembodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above descriptionof the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes,substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the claims below.

Abbreviations used in the preceding description include:

-   -   3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project    -   BBU Baseband Unit    -   BTS Base Transceiver Station    -   CC Component Carrier    -   CORESET Control-Resource Set    -   CQI Channel Quality Information    -   CSI Channel State Information    -   D2D Device to Device    -   DFT Discrete Fourier Transform    -   DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal    -   eMBB Enhanced Mobile Broadband    -   eNB eNodeB    -   FDD Frequency Division Duplex    -   FFT Fast Fourier Transform    -   gNB Next-generation NodeB    -   LAA Licensed-Assisted Access    -   LBT Listen-before-talk    -   LTE Long Term Evolution    -   LTE-U LTE in Unlicensed Spectrum    -   M2M Machine to Machine    -   MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme    -   MIB Master Information Block    -   MIMO Multi-Input Multi-Output    -   MTC Machine Type Communication    -   NR New Radio    -   OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing    -   PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel    -   PRB Physical Resource Block    -   PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel    -   PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel    -   RAN Radio Access Network    -   RAT Radio Access Technology    -   RBS Radio Base Station    -   RNC Radio Network Controller    -   RRC Radio Resource Control    -   RRH Remote Radio Head    -   RRU Remote Radio Unit    -   SCell Secondary Cell    -   SI System Information    -   SIB System Information Block    -   SR Scheduling Request    -   TB Transport Block    -   TBS Transport Block Size    -   TDD Time Division Duplex    -   TTI Transmission Time Interval    -   UE User Equipment    -   UL Uplink    -   URLLC Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication    -   UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network    -   WAN Wireless Access Network

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of configuring monitoring occasions for use in a network node of a wireless communication network, the method comprising: determining a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space monitoring configuration for a wireless device, the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration comprising a monitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes for each search space of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality of slots, wherein the total number of blind decodes to be performed in a slot of the plurality of slots exceeds a total number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot; and sending the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration to the wireless device, wherein the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration is used by the wireless device to limit a number of blind decodes to be performed in one or more search spaces so that the total number of blind decodes in each slot is less than or equal to the total number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot, and wherein the number of blind decodes are limited based on preconfigured rules for prioritizing a first search space over a second search space.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a total number of blind decodes to be performed in each slot of the plurality of slots is equivalent for all slots.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space is equivalent for all slots.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space varies among slots.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot is equivalent for all search spaces in the slot.
 6. A network node: the network node capable of configuring monitoring occasions in a wireless communication network and comprising processing circuitry coupled to a memory, the memory comprising instructions that when executed by the processing circuitry are operable to: determine a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space monitoring configuration for a wireless device, the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration comprising a monitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes for each search space of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality of slots, wherein the total number of blind decodes to be performed in a slot of the plurality of slots exceeds a total number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot; and send the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration to the wireless device, wherein the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration is used by the wireless device to limit a number of blind decodes to be performed in one or more search spaces so that the total number of blind decodes in each slot is less than or equal to the total number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot, and wherein the number of blind decodes are limited based on preconfigured rules for prioritizing a first search space over a second search space.
 7. The network node of claim 6, wherein a total number of blind decodes to be performed in each slot of the plurality of slots is equivalent for all slots.
 8. The network node of claim 6, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space is equivalent for all slots.
 9. The network node of claim 6, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space varies among slots.
 10. The network node of claim 6, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot varies among search spaces in the slot.
 11. A method of monitoring signals for use in a wireless device, the method comprising: receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space monitoring configuration from a network node, the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration comprising a monitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes for each search space of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality of slots, wherein the total number of blind decodes to be performed in a slot of the plurality of slots exceeds a total number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot; limiting a number of blind decodes to be performed in one more search spaces so that the total number of blind decodes in each slot is less than or equal to the total number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot, wherein limiting the number of blind decodes is based on preconfigured rules for prioritizing a first search space over a second search space; and monitoring each search space according to the monitoring periodicity and the number of blind decodes.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a total number of blind decodes to be performed in each slot of the plurality of slots is equivalent for all slots.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space is equivalent for all slots.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space varies among slots.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot is equivalent for all search spaces in the slot.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot varies among search spaces in the slot.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration further comprises an indication whether a search space may be monitored using fewer than the configured number of blind decodes.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication whether the search space may be monitored using fewer than the configured number of blind decodes comprises an indication of whether a search space is a common search space or a user equipment specific search space.
 19. A wireless device: the wireless device capable of monitoring signals in a wireless communication network and comprising processing circuitry coupled to a memory, the memory comprising instructions that when executed by the processing circuitry are operable to: receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space monitoring configuration from a network node, the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration comprising a monitoring periodicity and a number of blind decodes for each search space of a plurality of search spaces over a plurality of slots, wherein the total number of blind decodes to be performed in a slot of the plurality of slots exceeds a total number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot; limit a number of blind decodes to be performed in one more search spaces so that the total number of blind decodes in each slot is less than or equal to the total number of blind decodes that the wireless device is capable of performing in the slot, wherein limiting the number of blind decodes is based on preconfigured rules for prioritizing a first search space over a second search space; and monitor each search space according to the monitoring periodicity and the number of blind decodes.
 20. The wireless device of claim 19, wherein a total number of blind decodes to be performed in each slot of the plurality of slots is equivalent for all slots.
 21. The wireless device of claim 19, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space is equivalent for all slots.
 22. The wireless device of claim 19, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space varies among slots.
 23. The wireless device of claim 19, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot is equivalent for all search spaces in the slot.
 24. The wireless device of claim 19, wherein the number of blind decodes for each search space in a slot varies among search spaces in the slot.
 25. The wireless device of claim 19, wherein the PDCCH search space monitoring configuration further comprises an indication whether a search space may be monitored using fewer than the configured number of blind decodes.
 26. The wireless device of claim 25, wherein the indication whether the search space may be monitored using fewer than the configured number of blind decodes comprises an indication of whether a search space is a common search space or a user equipment specific search space. 